An Inexpensive Real-time Music Beat Tracking System Using Open Source Hardware

In this paper, we present a low-cost (less than $5) real-time music beat tracking system using Arduino open source hardware. The beat tracking system uses KY-037 sound sensor to read sound signals from Arduino’s #1 analog input pin, and control the flag LED and beat LED through Arduino’s #7 and #8 digital output pin. With an adjustable threshold parameter, the music beat tracking system will constantly try to recognize the music beat interval when playing music. A red LED (beat LED) will be blinking according to the beat when the music beat is recognized successfully. The music beat tracking system is open sourced and the hardware design and software startup code for the music beat tracking system is available for public access through the free online service.